Snowden is likely to bypass Golden Rose with Inkling

Kensingston track winner Inkling is likely to bypass the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 13 even though he returned to the winner’s stall last Saturday.

Inkling was back in the winner's stall on the Kensington track at Randwick.

Inkling was back in the winner's stall on the Kensington track at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Punters stuck with Inkling after the two year old was a beaten odds on favourite at his previous start at Rosehill and sent him out the $1.65 favourite again and were rewarded with a comfortable win in the TAB Early Quaddie Handicap (1150m).

Trainer Peter Snowden could still see a few hidden bad traits in Inkling’s win and is not fully convinced that he would be mature enough to tackle the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes in early September.

“I don’t think he’s focusing on what he’s got to do,” Snowden told AAP.

“I thought he might have won a bit better than what he did.”

“I can screw him down in the next couple of weeks for his target race, the Rosebud in a fortnight.”

But Snowden will push ahead towards to the Listed $100,000 The Rosebud (1200m) at Randwick on August 9 and then reassess Inkling’s Spring plans.

Winning jockey Joshua Parr had Inkling out of the barriers smartly in the small five horse field and tracked leader Sheer Style until he got the better of the Gary Frazer trained youngster at 200m when he started to draw away for a one and a quarter lengths win.

Saturday’s win was Inkling’s second from three race starts after scoring a five and three quarter lengths win on debut over 1100m at Warwick Farm on June 18.

Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, was prepared to forgive Inkling for his second up defeat after he over raced in the early stages of the race when third over 1200m at Rosehill on July 5.

“I thought his run was quite solid last start,” Snowden said.

“He over-raced a bit early and it probably cost him his chance of winning.

Snowden and Parr wrapped up a winning double on the Kensington track at Randwick with their two year olds when Blademesiter took out the Theraces.com.au Handicap (1550m) as the $3.50 equal favourite.

In contrast to Inkling racing close to the speed, Parr had Blademesiter at the tale of the eight horse field before making his move on the home turn and then got the better of equal favourite Testashadow at the 200m before recording a half a length win.

Blademeister will now have a short break with Snowden aiming to target some suitable races over the Melbourne Cup Carnival and a trip to Singapore next July is also in the pipeline.

“Blademeister is also likely to have a break and return for the back-end of the spring,” Snowden said.

“Blademeister is owned by Singapore interests and this horse is perfect for an 1800m race at the Derby meeting over there.’’

“The owners want me to take him over there for that race which is in July next year.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.